Author chronicles cross-county run's stop in Fremont

FREMONT - In 1928, 199 runners set out to race across the county, making stops in big cities like Chicago on their way to the finish line in New York. One stop along the route was Fremont.

James Powell, an author based in Sarasota, Florida, wrote about the cross-country run in his recent book, "The 1928 Bunion Derby: A Historical Tour and Driving Guide, Chicago to New York."

Powell became interested in the race as the founder of the Route 66 Association of Missouri while living in St. Louis. 

Powell said the race, which began in Los Angeles in 1928, and ended in New York City, ran along much of the famed Route 66 and piqued his interest in researching the footrace across America.

The race began in March and ended on May 26, covering about 3,400 miles.

"The race took a convoluted path," Powell said "The promoter added miles to the race to get runners to drop out."

To save money and to get more racers to drop out, food and hotel accommodations were taken away from the runners by the race's promoter, C.C. Pyle, according to Powell.

The prize money totaled $48,500, with $25,000 going to the winner, Andrew Payne, of Claremore, Oklahoma.

After financial disputes and reports that Pyle was unable to provide the prize money, Payne was awarded his $25,000 prize — the equivalent of more than $350,000 in today's dollars — and used most of the money to pay off the mortgage on his 400-acre home, buy a car, and purchase additional land.

A News-Messenger story from 1928 provided an update on the cross-country race that ran through Fremont from Wauseon over 64.7 miles.

Powell said the runners jogged along Ohio 2 to Holland, Ohio, then to Ohio 223 in Maumee before heading toward Fremont along U.S. 20.

"The runners' next trial would be dodging the automobiles on the No. 20 highway," Powell wrote. 

The stable of runners quickly dwindled prior to reaching Fremont as many race favorites had to withdraw, including Pete Gavuzzi, who retired from the race due to a bad tooth, Powell said.

Powell said a spell of gloom came over the runners after Gavuzzi left the race, writing that "he was held in high esteem with everyone connected with the gallop of the century."

Around 2:50 p.m., Powell said the first runner, Mr. Salo, crossed Fremont City Limits located next to the National Carbon Company Plant on North Wilson Avenue before reaching the control point for rest at 2:59 p.m.

The remaining runners took shelter at city hall for a night of rest after completing 2,689.3 miles on their way to New York.

Powell said that as he researched the area for his book, he found that Fremont's history added to the lore of the Bunion Derby. 

"The library and presidential museum were very helpful and that is why Fremont got a bigger chapter than most of the other cities," Powell said. "It started as a book about the race, but ended as a travel guide, too." 

In the chapter about Fremont, the author provides details about the city, such as unusual stops along the race route.

"At the same corner as Park (Street), turn back a hard right onto Napoleon Street and go 0.4 miles to 1103 Napoleon (St.) to visit Chud's," Powell writes. "Chud's is a family-owned marketplace and grill located on the same spot since 1924. During Prohibition, it served as a secret speakeasy, and after repeal in 1933, became the first post-Prohibition bar in the county."

cshoup@gannett.com

419-334-1035

Twitter: @CraigShoupNH